Paradis perdu (1940): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1940, Paradis perdu is a drama, war and romance film directed by Abel Gance, running about 82 minutes.

What it’s about. In pre-World Ward I in Paris, a budding artist, Pierre LeBlanc, falls in love and marries Janine, a dressmaker's assistant. Pierre has a flair for designing clothes, and he and his bride live in a blissful paradise, until the war breaks out and he becomes a soldier. Janine dies in childbirth and, no longer desiring to live, Pierre volunteers for a dangerous patrol behind German lines. While recuperating in the hospital from a wound he received on the mission, Pierre spends his time drawing sketches of dresses. He becomes rich and famous after the war. Years later, after devoting himself to his daughter, Pierre seeks a marriage with a girl no older than his daughter. A conflict develops and to ensure his daughter's happiness, Pierre sacrifices his own plans.

Who’s in it. Paradis perdu stars Fernand Gravey as Pierre Leblanc, Micheline Presle as Janine et Jeannette, Robert Le Vigan as Edouard Bordenave and Elvira Popescu as Sonia Vorochine, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, Paradis perdu has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Paradis perdu page.

If you liked it. Fans of Paradis perdu tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.